CAA pounces on errant traders

Cement, milk powder prices artificially raised :

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) will take legal action against 200 traders who sold cement and infant milk powder at a higher price than the maximum stipulated retail price.

The CAA detected 60 traders who sold cement at a higher price during recent raids.

They also took to task 150 traders for selling infant milk powder at a higher price than the stipulated one.

Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando instructed the CAA to take legal action against the offenders, a ministry statement said.

Meanwhile, the minister also instructed the CAA to file legal action against a business organisation involved in selling infant milk powder at a higher price.

Minister Fernando instructed the CAA to intensify raids to nab errant traders and also deploy additional special squads at identified hot spots.

He also directed officials to keep a close watch on large storage houses from where goods are supplied to stores.

This is to identify whether they keep outdated food items among their stocks.